I won't be in hard luck no more

I said, "Goodbye, baby. Oh yes, I got to go."
I said, "Goodbye, baby. Oh yes, I got to go.
I don't wanna be 'way in the South, hoo-hoo-well, mistreated for Mister So-and-So."

I stays in hard luck and trouble, every place I go
(Play it on out, Joe.)
I stays in hard luck and trouble, baby-babe, 'most every old place I go
I b'lieve somebody put bad luck on me, hoo-hoo-well, now, I b'lieve it's time to go

I had money, baby, I even had friends for miles around
(Ease it around, boys, long time)
Well, when I had money, babe, I even had friends for miles around
Well, all my money gone, hoo-well, and my friends can not be found

I started down (Spoken: Play, boy), I started down in Polack Town
(Play it on out, there)
Lord, I started down, babe, I started down in Polack Town
Seem like the snitches and the police, they, tryin' to tear poor Joe reputation down

Now you can help me when I'm down, be the same way when I rise
You can help me when I'm down now, be the same way when I rise
I got a gal in East St. Louis, she lives down in Polack Town